The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New United defender not struck on Dutch style
Van der Struijk believes there is a place for the long ball in today’s game
If total football is the only way to play the game then Frank van der Struijk is a Dutchman.
The new Dundee United defender is a rare breed indeed: a player from Holland who thinks there is room in the game for the punt up the park.
It is almost sporting blasphemy to hear that opinion from a player from the land that brought us the majestic style of the likes of Johan Cruyff, Johnny Rep and Dennis Bergkamp.
Nevertheless, having played all his career up to now in the Netherlands, it is maybe worth listening to what the former William II and Vitesse Arnhem man has to say.
Van der Struijk stated: “In Holland, the teams play football, football, football.
“It is just passing and building all the time. “I think it’s too much. “In Holland if you hit a long ball the fans will whistle and shout at you.
“In my opinion, sometimes you need long balls because you need to score goals to win, not just keep the ball.
“Sometimes a long ball is the best thing to put your opponent under pressure and that’s the big difference between British football and Dutch football,” added Van der Struijk, who hopes to feature against Peterhead in the Irn-Bru Cup at Tannadice today despite being a bit short of match fitness.
“In Holland, it’s all about keeping it and building.
“So will it suit my style here? I think so. I will get used to it.
“I wanted to try a different way of playing football.
“I want to experience a different culture and that was why this opportunity is good for me.”
It is also good for the Van der Striujk family, it seems, with life in Scotland beating several other destinations.
Van der Struijk said: “I had a decision to make this summer because I had offers from China, Africa and Germany.
“But I have a wife and three kids so they need to be happy as well.
“One of my children is six so he needs to have a good school and I was told that Scotland is a good place.
“The football is good for me and also the family life is good.
“If my family don’t like it then I won’t play at my best.
“I like it here already as it’s similar to Holland.”